Nutritional Profile of Cancer Patients: An observational Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. So patient's condition affects their metabolism, muscle mass, body fat and the level of their energy. As a presumption cachexia, sarcopenia and fatigue affect the diagnosis and treatment process. In this study, cancer diagnosed patients, seen in out-patient (OP) department, admitted at day care for short treatment were invited to participate. The nutritional status was assessed using Karada Scanner, simple bioelectric impedance instrument. A standardized functional assessment of chronic illness therapy fatigue scale (FACT-G, version 4), 27-point scale questionnaire was administered to assess Cancer Related Fatigue (CRF). This pilot study provided a fresh positive correlation between the nutritional status of cancer patients and cancer related fatigue. BMI has significant positive correlation with total body fat % (P<0.05). In malnourished cancer patients, up to 70.6% fall under stage IV cancer with definite loss of weight, appetite or decrease in intake and fatigue presence. With Karada scanner in OP clinic, FACT-G can be useful tool to objectively measure CRF.